textproduct: Quad Cities

KEY MESSAGES

- While passing systems will bring shifting winds and fluctuating temperatures through next week, above normal temperatures and mostly dry conditions will prevail through the forecast period.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/

Issued at 120 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026

Weak area of low pressure will pass through our south this afternoon, weakening further and pushing southeast into the evening. Variable winds will result through the remainder of the afternoon, with LLVL southwesterly flow increasing through tonight. A weak wave will pass through our north late tonight into the early AM hours, which will largely result in increasing cloud cover for our north and wind direction change. With clouds and southwesterly flow kicking in ahead, temperatures are expected to moderate in the 40s throughout. Late tonight, we will start to see the weak surface front associated with the wave move into our northwest, but plenty of dry air will result in dry frontal passage. There remains some uncertainty on fog potential tonight, as weak areas of convergence remain draped over the area tonight. Some CAMs are hinting at the potential, with fresh snowmelt providing moisture beneath the LLVL inversion. Thus, patchy fog may be seen tonight, especially in river valleys. Although, confidence remains low due to cloud cover passing through.

Tomorrow, we will be on the backside of the wave that passed through our north and in post-frontal northwesterly flow. Overall, it will be a quiet close to the week that started off quite active and wintry. Not only will it be quieter, but it will be quite beautiful out there. While we are in a postfrontal airmass, the front will be relatively weak and we will actually start to see increasing warm advection through the day. Thus, temperatures will increase quite a bit once again, bringing much of the area into the 60s, with those south of I-80 seeing low-mid 70s! That will be quite the change, a welcome one, when compared to the blizzard conditions seen at the start of the work week. Enjoy the close to the work week!

LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 120 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026

A largely quiet extended forecast is ahead of us, with fluctuations in temperatures and winds. The overall pattern going into this weekend is dominated by strong ridge that has been setup over the western CONUS, ushering waves into the area from a milder source region. Thus, we will continue to see decent strong warm advection into the area, especially Saturday. This whole weekend, we are expecting temperatures to remain well above seasonal normals. Currently, Saturday is geared to be the warmest with widespread upper 60s and 70s forecast. Not only will we be mild, but we are also expecting light southwesterly winds and mostly clear skies. Thus, we are in for beautiful start to the weekend.

The unseasonably mild conditions continue into Sunday, with slightly lower readings expected, owing to another wave passing through. The wave coming through Sunday will be stronger, where we will feel the difference in airmasses, especially on the backside of the wave through the day Sunday and Monday. The aforementioned ridge over the western CONUS starts to break down and traverse into the southern CONUS. This will effectively cut us off from any moisture. Thus, we will be severely lacking moisture as this wave passes, resulting in dry frontal passage for most. Those in our far north, closest to the best forcing, will have the best chance for any precipitation, which still remains <15% chances. Thus, mostly dry conditions through the second half of the weekend. Winds will shift northwesterly and become quite breezy, with gusts upwards to 20-30 mph.

Going into next week, the upper level pattern will generally become northwesterly. This is a favorable pattern for more waves to push into the Midwest through the next work week. Although, with the flattened-out ridge remaining draped over the south, moisture will remain an issue. Thus, we are advertising quiet weather for much of next week at this time. Rather, we will be left with periods of passing clouds, shifting winds, and fluctuating temperatures. We will start the week in a post-frontal airmass, with temperatures notable cooler than the weekend, yet still above seasonal norms. Although, as waves continue to pass through midweek, bouts of warm advection will allow for increasing temperatures again next week, with 60s returning to the area by midweek. A stronger wave is currently progged to move in during the second half of the week, which is realized well amongst global/ensemble guidance. Guidance is hinting at the chance for precipitation with this wave, but QPF currently looks low, owing to insufficient moisture. Although, this might be our next chance of precipitation in the extended. Until then, enjoy the largely quiet and unseasonably mild temperatures through the next week.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 1203 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026

VFR conditions will prevail through the TAF period, with mostly clear skies and light/variable winds through the first half of the forecast period. After 06z, most sites will see winds out of the southwest around 5-10 KTs, becoming northwesterly behind a passing cold front after 12z. LLWS will be possible at CID/DBQ tonight after 06z, generally out of the west at 40 KTs. We may see these conditions reach MLI, but confidence is low. Otherwise, no other sig wx is expected at this time.

DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

IA...None. IL...None. MO...None.